The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-09-13
THRILLING TRADITION.
by MONTGOMERY ". FuLroM.


There is one tradition, however, that has
interested me deeply, and by dint of question
ing these ancient ones and porting over the
faded pages Of musty old manuscripts, 1 have
been able to discover the outlines Of the old
old story, which / will recount to you.
Where the hills break away into ivy colored
glens and deeply shaded rayines that descend
abruptly to the edge Of the sweeping Ocmulgee
there is a little valley that possesses a bloody
secret Of love, Jealousy, revenge, death and re-
morse, and all the sad afterthoughts that have
! followed in the train Of these strong passions
since the first born of earth fed their focks in
| the valleys by the rivers Of the east
! On the pages OF an ancient document find
| the names of-Well, | will not give you their
real names for the sake of the memory Of those
| who laid aside the martial trappings of war to
don the humble habiliments Of the tomb in
| years that are gone.
They were two brave lieutenants who saw
service in the -th regiment during the
second and last fierce struggle between the
land Of tyranny and oppression and the country
Of peace and freedom.
Thomas Darrell and Raymond Russell were
both brave soldiers, young and ambitious, and
won their promotion by deeds Of heroism that
pen has never recorded.
Opposite their names appear these words
written by one who doubtless knew the sad
story Of their tragic cnding-the words 're-
signed" opposite the first, and mot present"
opposite the second. The gnarled and knotted
trees that bend their aged boughS above that
green valley that lies at the base of Rose Hill,
could tell the story.
1T was a bright morning in January when O
courier dashed recklessly down the steep in
cline that led to the fording place on the river.
Boldly urging his foam-flecked steed into tho
broken Watcrs he reached the eastern bank,
and putting spurs to his weared charger he
breasted the hill, and as the palisade of the
fort came into view he waved bis cap above his
head and shouted "Victory ViCtory!' until
tho frosty air took up the refrain that echoed
from hill TO hin, and startled the sentinel at
his post in the southeastern tower of the
foftalice
The gates were thrown open, and passing in
side he flung himself into the arms of the
commdndant, crying:
"Jackson has conquered and Packenham
with u thousand Of his red-coats lie dead upon
the bloody field of New OrleansW
4 wild huzza went up from the soldiery, and
the lurking Indian spy who had moored his
canoe in an eddy of tho river, a mile away,
was frightened by the sound and padded his
boat across the stream and disappeared among
the western woods.
All was confusion at the fort, and as the
sun assembled the zenith the heavy thunder of
nineteen guns reverberated among tho hills,
and the speed of the savage was accelerated as
he paused and listened to these wild tokens of
warlike eXultatiOn.
II had taken eighteen days to bring the JOY
must traverse miles of uninhabited forest ere
the news of the victory could reach the other
commanders situated at different points along
the frontier.
But Fort Hawkins reioiccd and all the in
hahitants thereof were glad. Quite q large
party had arrived at Fort Hawkins few days
previous and among Thorn several young ladies
who were faircr than the first flowers of spring
to the eyes Of the young soldiers.
One among them was Rachel Allen, the
L - 81
| left his homo in Carolina to try his fortunes in
| the new country.
She was young and handsome, and possessed
of such charms that would make an easy con-
| quest Of less susceptible hearts than those of
| the two young licutcn3ntS who We're full Of
that spirit of romantic adventure so common
| in young men of their kind.
! Thomas Darrell and Raymond Russell had
entered into a regular SIEGE IN a spirit of manly
! rivalry that well suited their high notions Of
! chivalry and honor. And each had received
! his share OF encouragement, while neither
| could claim any material advantage. There
! was So much difference in the two men that
! any maiden would be puzzled to determine
| which was the most attractive
Tradition says that Lieutenant Darrell was
! tall and 1.-THE as a willow, bluc-eyed and light
| compleXioned, and that he was impetuous,
/ generous and brave. Russell was his opposite.
| lie was a magnificent specimen OF massive
manhood dark-eved and dark-haired, with a
aud weather could scarce cast another shadow.
| He was cool, determined, and possessed those
| fatal qualities of untorgetting love and unfor-
| giving hatred,
On the evening of the second day after the
| news Of jackson victory reached the fort
| the commahdant arranged for grand dinner,
! followed by an impromptu ball, such as only
soldiers in garrison could devise
During the progress of the festivities, the
! young heutenants eagerly sought the hand OF
/ fttFl "a tp WI oh
| they danced to the music OF the filters and an
old negro fiddler, Who played Tho Wasp and
! the Peacock to the merry clotter OF youthful
feet.
The night was wild for the season, and the
! moon that stood ut the zenith when the lcstiv-
ities began had ghded down the western
/ slopes, and was hanging TREMENDOUSLY ON the
| distant horizon, when the ball was ended.
/ Did the eyes of fair RaChail detect stain of
! crimson ON its shining crescent rs it diSap-
! pearcd behind those dark. mysterious hills
! beyond the river?
! Hot words had passed that night, and qui-
| city Withdrawing Thomas Darrell and Ray
mond Russell agreed that ere the sunrise
/ they would settle forever the question OF who
should claim the hand of the young lady 10y
| right of conquest,
Through the remaining hours Of the night
young Darrell paced up and down, his blood
now boiling with n sense of his wrongs now
cooling as he thought ul his home in irgmia
and OF the welcome that awaited him there.
The grcut consultations poised one 10y one
0duWu the pathway OF the sky, and nj last the
morning star appeared and burned in Spleudor
among the palug stars in the east
Lieutenant Russell sought his soldiers couch
and fen asleep. lie dreamed of his fathers
1 house nestled among the piue-clad hills of
/ Maine, and then he dreamed of one whom he
| would bring away with him when next he
! turned his back ON war and all it's hardships.
/ His dream was broken 10y touch on the arm
and q mutterod "time is up" in his ear.
Tho light and airy mist wreathS hung above
/ the winding river, and the chill air OF morn
/ ing wrought ten thousand fantastic shapes
! among the y0pory masses, as Thomas Darrell
/ passed outside the fort and walked rapidly
| along the winding road that led TO the river.
/ 4 light canoe was moorod among tho over
! hanging willows, and into this he stepped, and
q few swift strokes OF the paddle placed him
| on the western shore. just rs he sprmg ashore
the trcmuous cry Of a screech owl Smote his
| ear, and q Shudder passed through his over
wrought frame as the querulonS note Of this
| bird OF evil omen died away.
As Raymond Russell walked firmly MP the
frosty lpath and entered the shadowy vail
lev be was greeted with morning salute by
his antagonist.
"You are puuctual, Mr.. RUSSELL" said Oar
rell, as he advanced with outStretched hand
| 10 meet his foe.
al always mako it point 70 keep my en-